5.9 million households in the US didn’t have a bank account in 2021, according to the FDIC. Without a bank account, bank transfers are not an option when you need to move money. But don’t worry — you have options. Here’s how to send money to someone without a bank account.
Yes! In the past decade, we have made huge strides in digital banking and financial technology. While it might not have been possible to transfer money to someone without a bank account in the past, it is definitely possible today.
There are plenty of ways to send money to someone without a bank account, each with different levels of speed, security and convenience. Here are some of the best options:
Sending money through a money transfer service is an option for both sending without a bank account and sending money to someone without a bank account. Several money transfer services allow you to both pay in cash and have cash delivered to your receiver.
Your recipient could receive the funds the same day if they’re delivered via cash pickup or delivery. This option can come with high fees, so be sure to compare money transfer services that offer cash pickup.
You can transfer money to a cash pickup location in most countries, typically through a third-party money transfer service. The process is similar to that of most transfers, at least on your end. Once the funds arrive in the third-party service’s bank accounts, they will be directed to one of their partner’s cash pickup locations, where your recipient can head over to collect their funds.
Mobile wallets, often called e-wallets, aren’t as complicated as they may first sound. There are plenty of popular apps like Venmo, Cash App, Google Pay and similar services. Mobile wallets can often be created without a bank account, and some of them even allow you to access your funds through a debit card that connects directly to your account balance. Keep the following in mind with mobile wallets:
Money orders may seem like a thing of the past, but they certainly still have a use in the digital age. When it comes to money orders, the USPS is one of the largest and most convenient businesses to send one through. The USPS offers both domestic and international money orders, both of which must be delivered in person or by mail.
When using a money order, keep in mind that:
Some money transfer services allow you to pay by credit card, which is convenient if you don’t have a bank account to fund the transfer. Paying by credit card will almost always be more expensive when sending money, but you can often save money by shopping around. For added convenience, a handful of money transfer services will allow you to pay by credit card and have the money available for cash pickup within minutes.
Money transfer services that allow you to pay by credit card will also usually accept prepaid debit cards. Unlike credit cards, prepaid debit cards are pre-loaded with cash. So before you make the transfer, ensure you have sufficient funds on your card. As with paying by credit card, using a debit card will also usually be more expensive due to transaction fees charged by your debit card provider.
However, unlike using a credit card, using a prepaid debit card can also be much safer, especially if you are keying in your card details into an unknown third-party service’s website. Should your transaction be intercepted or your card details stolen, only the pre-loaded funds will be at risk.
Withdrawing cash from your bank account to send through the mail is the least recommended method, but it is still an option. If you choose to send cash, be sure to:
Even with these safety nets in place, we still don’t recommend physically mailing cash. Consider using a money order or a money transfer service instead.
Finder data suggests that men aged 25-34 are most likely to be researching this topic.
| Response | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 65+ | 3.33% | 3.95% |
| 55-64 | 5.55% | 6.65% |
| 45-54 | 8.48% | 8.98% |
| 35-44 | 11.63% | 11.41% |
| 25-34 | 11.73% | 10.46% |
| 18-24 | 9.70% | 8.13% |
Deciding which method of how to send money to someone without a bank account can be tricky. To pick the transfer method that’s best for you and your recipient, consider.
Making a transfer through any online money transfer service is usually a simple process. Here’s how it goes:
Once you confirm the transfer, the money transfer service will take it from there. You can also track the transfer through email or in-app updates.
How can I receive money without a bank account?
How much does it cost to send money without a bank account?
Can I send money to a mobile wallet using a transfer service?
Do mobile wallets have to be linked to an account?
Several mobile wallets don’t require you to link a bank account. PayPal and Venmo are two notable names that allow you to open an account and receive funds without linking a bank account or credit card.
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